High Plains Arboretum Tree and Shrub Sale
June 1, 10 a.m. – noon – Cheyenne Botanic Gardens members only (memberships available at the door); Noon – 2 p.m. – open to the public
High Plains Arboretum Greenhouse, 8601 Hildreth Road (directions: https://www.botanic.org/event/high-plains-arboretum-plant-sale/)
Selections also include strawberries and raspberries developed specifically for Cheyenne. Proceeds benefit the arboretum.
High Plains Arboretum tree and shrub sale features Cheyenne superstars
By Jessica Friis
The plants at the High Plains Arboretum that have thrived over the decades despite minimal care are what I call the “superstars” of the arboretum. Many of these plants, including those listed below, will be available for purchase at our annual plant sale fundraiser June 1.
The High Plains Arboretum contains trees and shrubs tested by the Cheyenne Horticultural Field Station from 1930-1974. The station’s purpose was to find plants that could survive Cheyenne’s harsh climate. Scientists tested plants from all over the region and from similar climates throughout the world, brought in by US Department of Agriculture plant explorers.
When the horticultural research ended in 1974, the plants received minimal care. By 2005, 43% of the trees had perished. But since the city of Cheyenne took over the arboretum in 2008, the Urban Forestry department has worked to preserve the remaining 675 trees and has planted over 200 new trees to rebuild the collection.
The Superstars
Russian hawthorn always looks green and healthy, even during dry spells. Its dark red berries create a “Christmas in July” look against the glossy green foliage. The gnarly growth habit provides an interesting shape with very little pruning required.
Eastern American maples struggle in western soils, but two maples native to northern China and Russia thrive in the arboretum. The leaves of Amur maple, a small, shrub-type tree, turn brilliant dark red in the fall. The Tatarian maples feature a range of gold, orange, and red fall foliage, and gave rise to the popular Hot Wings® variety developed at Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery. Its seeds turn bright red in mid-summer.
The crabapple collection includes many developed by Isabella Preston, a prolific plant breeder in Canada from 1920-1946. Her crabapples are named after lakes in Canada like Athabasca, Chilko, and Rosseau. My favorite crabapple in the arboretum came from Manchuria, China, and was found growing near a Buddhist temple by USDA plant explorer P. H. Dorsett. The Hung Hai Tung crabapple’s large white flowers should open soon.
Lilacs grow well in dry, cold climates. The arboretum’s collection includes white, blue, lavender, pink, fuschia, and dark purple blossoms. We hope to catch them blooming at our Spring Garden Walk scheduled for Thursday, June 6. Tickets are available at www.botanic.org.
The largest shade tree at the arboretum is the Encampment Willow, found near Encampment, Wyoming. This individual has reached an impressive size, especially given the dry conditions at the arboretum. Another willow that has thrived with minimal irrigation is the golden willow, easily recognized in the winter by its bright yellow stems.
Several types of buckeyes are thriving in the arboretum. These medium-sized trees are incredibly drought tolerant. In their native range of the humid Midwest, fungal problems often cause leaves to drop early. Our dry climate wards off the fungi, and we can enjoy beautiful fall shades of yellow, orange, and red.
Bur oak is also native to the Midwest, and one of the few oak trees that does well in Cheyenne. It is a very long-lived, drought-tolerant and tough tree. The LCCC campus has some beautiful bur oaks near the Administration building.
American linden is another excellent shade tree for Cheyenne. The small flowers of this eastern North American native attract pollinators in early summer.
Plains cottonwood is our state tree for good reason–it is one of the few native trees that live on the high plains. They grow across the state near sources of water. Plains cottonwoods tend to curve away from the wind as they grow, and their gracefully curving trunks are beautiful in the winter. A more upright option that is also excellent for Cheyenne is the lanceleaf cottonwood, native to the Rocky Mountain region.
Upright junipers are a great way to add year-round interest to your landscape. Newer varieties of our native Rocky Mountain juniper provide a range of colors and sizes, including Wichita Blue, Skyrocket, Woodward, and Medora. These varieties are growing in the Paul Smith Children’s Village.
Potentillas are native to the northern parts of the U.S. and Canada. If you want low-maintenance flowers, this is your plant. Potentillas are extremely tough and drought tolerant. There are potentillas at the arboretum that have been thriving for 50 years. They bloom for a large portion of the summer and are now available in a range of colors.
The Cheyenne mock orange growing at the arboretum was one of the first recognized by Plant Select, a list of plants highly recommended for the region by Denver Botanic Gardens and Colorado State University. It has become a local favorite, with white flowers that smell like citrus blossoms.
Jessica Friis, horticulturist at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, and author of the book “High Plains Arboretum”, enjoys beautifying the Paul Smith Children’s Village, researching the High Plains Arboretum and educating the public on growing plants in Wyoming. Contact her at jfriis@cheyennecity.org.